6 February - 28 March 2010

Dave Lewis is a photographer and film-maker interested in identity and the ways in which people feel they belong to a particular place. Field Work is a new body of work generated through Lewis’ innovative combination of the role of the artist as a 'stranger', and that of the anthropologist as someone concerned with understanding cultural identity. In the process of gathering first-hand evidence in two particular locations, Sway in the New Forest in Hampshire, and Newtown in mid-Wales, Lewis draws productive parallels between these two roles, suggesting the way they pursue similar methods of investigation and share some common aims. Sway and Newtown are linked through this process of interviewing local residents and documenting events such as festivals and carnivals. At the same time there is a more reflexive moment in which the ‘stranger’ mediates on the land he sees but does not understand.

The resulting work examines the role of the individual within society, how boundaries with outsiders are perceived, and how both of these relate to how people identify themselves with a particular place and cultural identity. The exhibition as a whole seeks to problematize issues around race, environment and identity weaving these themes into complex narratives that question the viewer’s own attitude and understanding of what it is to belong.

For his exhibition at ArtSway Lewis will present a series of large-scale landscape photographs taken on the outskirts of Newtown and Sway, as well as video work which presents two filmed 'journeys' following the 'stranger' as he conducts his research.

Dave Lewis gained a BA (Hons) in Film and Photographic Arts from the Polytechnic of Central London (now University of Westminster). He has recently finished as a Visiting Research Fellow at Goldsmiths University of London, Department of Anthropology.

Dave Lewis: Field Work is a co-commission by Autograph ABP, ArtSway, and Oriel Davies Gallery. Field Work will be exhibited at Oriel Davies Gallery from 17 April - 9 June 2010.

Exhibition Associated Events:

Private View and Gallery Talk: Dave Lewis in Conversation with Peter Bonnell and Indra Khanna
Saturday 6 February 2010 at 3pm
Photographer and film-maker Dave Lewis will discuss his newly commissioned project Field Work with ArtSway Curator Peter Bonnell and Autograph ABP Curator Indra Khanna.
FREE: All Welcome.

Art in Context: Anthropology and Field Work
Saturday 13 March 2010 at 3pm
Chris Wright, a lecturer in visual anthropology at Goldsmiths College in London, will deliver a talk at ArtSway relating to themes in the work of Dave Lewis. The talk will cover other examples of 'field work' used by artists, and the way that these concerns with those of anthropologists.
FREE: Booking Essential.

To book a place on the above event please contact Jack Lewis on 01590 682260 (ext.6) or email: jack.lewis@artsway.org.uk